McDonald's vs Lindy - Gertie's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of McDonald's vs Lindy - Gertie's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
McDonald's Franchise
Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
Investment $1,314,500 - $2,306,500$49,000 - And Up
Franchise Fee $45,000$9,500
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 4%+2%
Year Founded 1955-
Year Franchised 1955-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee $45K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
McDonald's Franchise
Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    McDonald's Franchise
    Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    McDonald's Franchise
    Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 500 hours Classroom Training: 72 hours Additional Training: At local McDonald's restaurant -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 82% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    McDonald's Franchise
    Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About McDonald's

    Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman, ventured to California in 1954 to visit McDonald's hamburger stand, where he heard they were running eight mixers at once. Kroc was impressed by how rapidly customers were served and, seeing an opportunity to sell many more milkshake machines, encouraged brothers Dick and Mac McDonald to open a chain of their restaurants. Kroc became their business partner and opened the first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
    McDonald's brand is in 122 countries around the world. Thirty thousand locations serve 51 million customers each day. More than 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent local business people. Most standalone McDonald's restaurants offer both counter and drive-through service, with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating. The Drive-Thru, Auto-Mac, or McDrive as it is known in many countries, often has separate stations for placing, paying for, and picking up orders, though the former two steps are frequently combined. In some countries "McDrive" locations near highways offer no counter service or seating. In contrast, locations in high-density city neighborhoods often omit drive-through service.


    "Top   ""  "Entrepreneur

      "franchiserankingscom"                                                                                                                         
    #7 on Franchise Rankings.com                                                                                                                                                            
    #3 in Canada's top franchises.
    #3 in Franchise 500 for 2020
    #11 in Franchise 500 for 2021










    About Lindy - Gertie's

    In 1974, businessman Joseph Yesutis fulfilled a life-long dream by purchasing the Lindy's Chili Company and the Gertie's Ice Cream Company. This dream, however, did not include putting the two concepts together. Only after analyzing the unique qualities of each business did he conceive of his remarkable innovation.

    Lindy's Chili was drawing huge lunch and dinner crowds, but slowed in the evenings. On the other hand, Gertie's Ice Cream did great business in the evenings when customers crowded in.

    Additionally, there was seasonal factors that effected business. Cold Chicago winters bolstered chili sales, while ice cream sales declined. And, of course, in the summer, ice cream soared past chili sales.

    Combining the two companies into a single specialty food business initially drew many puzzled looks.
    Chili and ice cream? Some people questioned Joe's judgment. But it really made remarkable business sense. The two specialties in fact, kept business steady throughout the day and throughout the year.

    Even more remarkable, chili and ice cream proved to be a delicious combination!
    The new Lindy Gertie's customers discovered that a bowl of the hot and spicy chili followed by a cool, refreshing ice cream was indeed a unusually satisfying experience.

    The Lindy-Gertie's Franchise Opportunity Could Be Your Recipe For A Great Future! Since 1901, Gertie's Ice Cream and since 1924, Lindy's Chili have been serving the Chicagoland area. Be a part of that history. Contact us today.